On the Friday after Thanksgiving, I watched my fellow Americans celebrate the holiday season by pushing and punching the heck out of each other to be first in line to grab the best deal at the nearest mall.
I watched a mother proudly announce that this was her daughter’s first “Black Friday” shopping experience. Wait a minute, I thought. Isn’t Christmas supposed to be about peace on earth and goodwill?
If that weren’t enough, the horrendous shooting tragedies in San Bernardino and Colorado Springs rendered goodwill but a distant dream. I had to do something to combat my growing pessimism and decided to walk around town looking for Christmas spirit right here in Grand Marais.
My quest started at the Holiday Sale Crafts and Consultant Open House at the Cook County Community Center. I bought felted handmade mittens from Gail, a book from Jennifer and Christmas cookies from Hana. Everything was made (or written) by the seller, and each purchase was accompanied by friendly and personal conversation. Colored lights sparkled, shoppers were friendly and happy. The atmosphere was lovely.
Several days passed before I could get back to my “quest,” and it wasn’t till Monday I could resume. My next stop was Joynes Ben Franklin. No crowds there although the checkout ladies informed me that things had been very busy over the weekend.
We chatted as I purchased a birthday card and some notebooks and wished each other a good day. The spirit of peace and goodwill? Most certainly.
Under the streetlights decorated with green garlands and red bows, I continued my stroll. The town was quiet. I could literally have rolled a bowling ball down Main Street, so a number of shops were understandably closed till the weekend.
White Pine North was the next store I visited. A rich coffee aroma filled the air. Customers could help themselves to a cup. Owners Jackie and Jim Larsen were busy, but she took time to chat about children and grandchildren. Our daughters graduated from high school together, so our history goes back for years.
At Big Dollar Grocery Store, a Salvation Army bell ringer volunteer greeted shoppers at the door. The same was true at Gene’s Foods where the bell ringer played beautiful Christmas songs on his violin.
Although I’d hoped to visit many other places in town, there was no time left, and I needed to head home. I’m not a Pollyanna but everyone was pleasant and helpful, and left me with positive feelings.
Maybe it’s our “small-townness” that makes it easy for us to show good will to one another. Maybe it’s the lack of noisy freeways and hordes of people that allow life to be more peaceful.
Whatever it is, I wish everyone could experience peace and goodwill as we do here in our little town.
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